Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has explained why United States-based trio of Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Njabulo Blom and Cassius Mailula didn’t make his final 23-man squad.
South Africa take on Namibia on 9 September and DR Congo on 12 September, with both games set to take place Orlando Stadium.
Broos selected his usual core for the final 23-man squad, but also included some new faces like Thabiso Monyane and Kobamelo Kodisang, who are both uncapped for the national team.
In addition, Grant Margeman, who played two matches at the 2019 COSAFA Cup, and Lebo Mothiba, who last featured in 2019, were also selected by Broos.
But those additions also meant that the Mzansi’s Major League Soccer contingent were not called up and Broos explained that Hlongwane’s absence is due to injury.
“Hlongwane is injured, so he can’t be with us,” he confirmed.
“I had a phone call with him yesterday. He will not play today, he will not play Sunday. Maybe he could be ready for one of the two [Bafana] games, but I think it’s better for him to stay there.
“It gives me the opportunity to call someone else, therefor Kodisang is there.”
Broos further explained that Mailula is still part of his plans but he basically wants to give him time to settle more at his new club after his recent move to Toronto FC.
“Mailula… Ok, there was a transfer, he joined a new team. He didn’t play so much in the month of August,” the coach stated.
“He played now yesterday, I think. Ok, Mailula is Mailula and he will stay with us. Also now for these games, it gives me the opportunity to try something else.”
Finally, Blom has basically been a victim of his club being eliminated early from the Leagues Cup, which resulted in him playing only one game in August, opening the door for Broos to select SuperSport United’s Margeman.
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“I don’t know what happened with Blom, sometimes he played and then for three [to] four week he doesn’t play,” Broos added.
“I prefer then to take Margeman and give him his chance than to take Blom – also someone who didn’t play so much [in] the last few weeks.”
Source Link Broos Explains Hlongwane, Blom & Mailula Absences
